Free-agent running back Devonta Freeman has reportedly hired NFL superagent Drew Rosenhaus to represent him. And Rosenhaus told ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday that Freeman is ready and wants to sign a deal as soon as possible, saying:
“We want to work out a deal in the immediate future, and we are open to any team. He’s healthy, he’s in shape, and I’m on a mission to have him give a team a lift in late July.”
Freeman has been linked to the Eagles, among other teams, but the contract has remained a sticking point. The Seahawks were also interested before pivoting and agreeing to terms with Carlos Hyde.
It has been reported for a couple of months now that the Eagles would prefer to sign a veteran running back. While Miles Sanders is expected to handle the load as the top back, the Eagles only have Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Elijah Holyfield, Mike Warren, and Adrian Killins.
Sanders was a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Other than him, Boston Scott was the only one of those backs to be drafted (he was a sixth-round pick of the Saints in 2018). Warren and Killins went undrafted this year, Holyfield was undrafted in 2018, and Clement was an undrafted free agent signed by the Eagles in 2017.
That lists leaves a lot to be desired, and a veteran running back like Freeman would calm a lot of nerves.
Devonta Freeman to the Eagles?
In all likelihood, probably not. The Eagles have reportedly been interested in veteran free agents for months, but they haven’t been able to agree to a deal. They have an interest in Freeman, had an interest in Hyde before he signed with the Seahawks, and have at least a passing interest in our old friend LeSean McCoy.
Here is what we wrote back in May about the situation:
According to Adam Caplan on the most recent episode of he and Geoff Mosher’s Inside the Birds TV, the team is expected to sign another veteran free agent running back. With the uncertainty at the position behind Sanders, this makes a lot of sense. But is the team really really going to commit significant financial resources to the position? And who is still available that might fit their past preference for a LeGarrette Blount or Jordan Howard type of running back?
The holdup has been the money. Freeman, a former Pro Bowl running back who is still only 28, wants a fair deal. The Eagles, who have an ugly 2021 salary cap situation even before potential COVID-19 ramifications, want to carry over as much money from 2020 to 2021 as possible.
And the Eagles also just decided to bring back Jason Peters for “up to $6 million with $3 million guaranteed.” So, now, there is even less money available to carry over.
While it is getting late (training camps are set to start next week) and his options are limited, the guess here is that Devonta Freeman finds a better deal than what the Eagles are offering/can offer. If he does sign, I think he’s a great fit and would be a solid move for both parties.
While I would love to see a guy like Mike Warren get a shot at earning a role on the 2020 Eagles, I still think it’s likely that they kick the tires on a veteran. It might not be a high profile back like Freeman, but the market is not void of options.
Here is a list from Spotrac of running backs who are still on the market
Some of those, like Sproles and Lynch, are going to stay retired.
But could they sign McCoy? Isaiah Crowell? Bilal Powell? They could do worse.
When I did a way-too-early Eagles 53-man roster prediction back in May, I eventually settled on Crowell as the choice in free agency (after Hyde signed with the Seahawks).
I’m sticking with that prediction.
